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In some circumstances, it can currently take up to 4.5 months to conduct an initial assessment for some complaints, particularly if they are complex. We are doing everything we can to reduce this time. You can find average timescales for each stage of complaint handling across all types of complaints here.

Staff Handbook

This resource provides a central location for all HR policies and forms for staff members. It includes links to the relevant policies/forms short descriptions of their purpose. 

Absence Policy: This is the Commissioner's policy for dealing with issues around sickness and other absences. 

Anti-bribery Policy: This policy outlines how the Commissioner aims to implement and enforce effective systems to counter bribery and corruption.

Anti-fraud Policy: This policy outlines how the Commissioner aims to prevent and detect fraud. 

Fraud Response Plan: This policy outlines how the Commissioner aims to respond to detections of fraud.

Code of Conduct: This is the Code of Conduct for staff and contractors of the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Confidentiality Policy: This policy supports employees in pursuing good practice and provides a set of guidelines to define acceptable standards in relation to handling confidential information and personal data to which employees will have access in the course of their work. 

Disciplinary Policy: This policy outlines circumstances in which staff may be subject to disciplinary action and is designed to help and encourage all employees to achieve and maintain appropriate standards of conduct, attendance and job performance. 

Display Screen Equipment Policy: This policy describes the methods that the ESC uses to promote the safe use of display screen equipment so that the requirements of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (as amended) are met. 

Domestic Abuse Policy: This policy outlines the Commissioner's commitment to providing a safe and healthy working environment and their aim to support all employees as far as reasonably practicable to achieve and maintain a positive state of mental health and wellbeing, including being able to live a life free from fear or abuse in any form

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy: This policy sets out how this organisation promotes equality it its day to day work and how anyone who words with us, or accesses our services can make a complaint or alert us to issues that require attention. 

Grading Policy: This policy details current staff grades and pay scales.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy: This policy supports employees in pursuing good practice and provides a set of guidelines for safe working for themselves and others. 

Hours of work and Annual Leave Policy: This policy details our working hours, including flexi-time arrangements, and our annual leave allowances.

Leaving Policy: This policy sets out arrangements for redundancy, retirement, resignation and dismissal. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy: This policy outlines the Commissioner's commitment to providing a safe and healthy working environment and their aim to support all employees as far as reasonably practicable to achieve and maintain a positive state of mental health and wellbeing. 

Out of Office Expense Claim form: This form is to be used when claiming travel expenses from the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Out of Pocket Expenses Policy: This policy details how to claim for reimbursement of reasonable expenses that arise during the course of work on behalf of the Commissioner. 

Period and Menopause Policy: This policy outlines how the Commissioner is committed to providing a culture where employees experiencing problematic periods or menopausal symptoms get the support they need to manage their symptoms at work. 

Recruitment Policy: This policy sets out the process by which the Commissioner appoints new employees including (where appropriate) promotion or transfer of current employees. 

Remote Working Policy: This policy outlines the circumstances under which ESC will allow, request or require employees to work at a location away from the main office which will usually be the employee's home (remote working). It will be utilised in conjunction with the supporting work/life balance policy. 

Resolution Policy: This policy outlines the procedures that managers and employees should follow when raising or addressing grievances (individual or collective) or concerns about behaviour including allegations of discrimination, bullying, harassment and victimisation.

Smoke Free Policy: This policy has been developed to protect all building users from exposure to second-hand smoke to assist compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005. 

Substance Abuse Policy: This policy outlines the Commissioner's commitment to minimise the risks caused by alcohol and/or drug consumption or dependency in employees. 

Training Policy: This policy outlines how the Commissioner is committed to providing an environment in which all employees are supported to achieve the highest standards of work possible so that they are able to take pride in the work produced. 

Wellness Action Plan: This form can be used whenever someone is facing some mental health challenges which are impacting on their work. 

Wellness Support Leaflet: This leaflet contains information and support relating to pressures/mental health challenges. 

Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures: This policy is to encourage employees to raise appropriate concerns when anyone working with or for the ESC engages in activities or behaviours that are clearly incompatible with the values and policies of the work of ESC, the required standards of conduct that flow from those, and the public interest. 

Work Life Balance Policy: This policy contains guidance on special leave and sets out employees' rights to the various forms of parental leave and pay, dependents' leave and pay and the right to request flexible working arrangements.